Overtime & Basketball Betting: Does Extra Time Count?
If you are new to basketball betting, overtime can be a term that causes confusion. It comes after regular time and can affect how a market is settled.
Many bettors are caught out when a game continues beyond four quarters. The outcome on the bet slip might not match the score you expected. The key is knowing which markets include extra time and which ones stop at the end of regulation.
UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)-licensed operators set these rules out clearly. Below, you will find how overtime is treated in common markets and what that means for settlement.
Does Overtime Count In Basketball Betting?
Overtime may count, but it depends on the market. In many UK markets, a full-time result bet, sometimes called the moneyline, includes overtime unless the market title states otherwise. If a match is tied after four quarters and moves to an extra period, points from that period are often part of settlement.
Some markets are available in two versions. A “match result (excluding overtime)” market settles on the score after four quarters only. Totals and handicaps often include overtime, although versions that exclude it can be offered as well. Market labels are important. Look for wording such as “including overtime” or “excluding overtime” on your bet slip.
The same approach applies to player and team specials. A player points total may include overtime on one site and exclude it on another if set out in the description. For example, if the total is set at 210.5 and the game is 102-102 at full time, a 12-8 overtime would move the total to 222. If the market excludes overtime, the bet would settle at 204.
If you do decide to try your hand at basketball betting, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose.
How Long Is Overtime In Basketball?
Overtime is an additional period used to break a tie at the end of regulation. In major leagues such as the NBA, EuroLeague and British Basketball League, each overtime period lasts five minutes.
There is no set limit on how many extra periods can be played. If the scores remain level at the end of one overtime, another five-minute period begins. On rare occasions, matches can extend into double or triple overtime.
Because overtime is short and played at a high pace, totals and handicaps can often be influenced when a game goes beyond four quarters.
Basketball Overtime Rules Explained
When a match is tied after the fourth quarter, a five-minute overtime period is played. If the score is still tied, another five-minute period begins. This continues until one team is ahead at the end of an overtime period.
Personal fouls carry over from regulation into overtime. Players close to their foul limit remain at risk of fouling out. Team fouls are reset in overtime under most competition rules, with a new foul count and penalty free throws applied once the limit is reached. Timeout allowances are adjusted, with each team given a small number for overtime. The exact figure depends on the league.
The structure is set by the competition rulebook. Sportsbooks align their market settlement with those rules. For betting purposes, personal and team performance in overtime can be included, but only if the chosen market specifies this.
Bet on Basketball Games Online
Want a straightforward way to bet on basketball with clear rules around overtime? Here at Mr Luck, we make it easy to see whether a market includes extra time before you place a bet.
You will find market descriptions written in plain language, with examples where helpful, so you can judge how overtime might affect totals, handicaps or the match result. Whether you follow domestic fixtures or international leagues, our help pages set out how settlement works across the main competitions.
We also provide tools that help you manage your play, including deposit limits and reality checks, all easy to set from your account. If anything is unclear, our support team is on hand to explain how a market settles or where to find the rules.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.